#INSPIREDBY PETRA BARRAN

Petra Barran is the founder of KERB, a concept which revolutionised the UK's dining scene, bringing street food to millions. In 2005, Barran began her street food career selling chocolate out of an old ice cream van.  Since KERB, she has worked on launching Seven Dials Market whilst studying in New Orleans.

What was one of the very first dishes you remember eating?

My 3rd birthday cake which was a 3 tier cheese cake - each tier a different kind of cheese. It was basically just cheese. I loved cheese.

Who is your food hero?

I dig Roy Choi - the way he uses food and his city to address his respect for the power of human connection and collaboration is special.

What is your guiltiest food pleasure?

Coco Pops - it's kind of my staple diet lately

Which restaurant to you long to return to?

Brat

What would be your last meal?

Ok - so I’m going spice and tang and smoke: salsas (roasted pepito, smoky habanero, a nice fruity green one and a pico de gallo) w/ good thin, warm and crunchy tortilla chips, guacamole and a beautiful shrimp ceviche. This will be followed by a whole bbq red snapper - it’ll be gently charred but simple, served with hand cut chips, nice and yellow, good crunch. Lime on the side to squeeze liberally all over fish and chips. For dessert it’s chocolate truffles, freshly made, using a good 100% cacao from Venezuela. They’ll barely be sweet, just super intense and filling me up with all that good theobromine. Drink will be mezcal.

What dish do you cook the most at home?

I cook simply at home - probably smoky huevos rancheros the most often. 

What restaurant T-shirt would you wear?

I never buy restaurant T-shirts but I bought one at this place last year in Austin called Gelateria Gemelli because I was so darn taken by it. It's a gelato and amaro bar and their combos killed me.

Favourite vegetable? 

Swiss chard

Most-used condiment? 

Dijon

Most over-rated dish?

Matcha anything

Favourite restaurant not in the UK?

Suerte in Austin. Just getting everything right about contemporary Mex food and drink.

Favourite fast food joint?

I had a brief affair with McDonalds during Mardi Gras in New Orleans this year. It went on for 3 nights and roped in others each night who, like me, were also unable to stop themselves. I found that if we rocked up at around 1am the food would be so freaking hot and fresh that the experience was optimum. I then kept on thinking about McDs for the next few weeks, kind of addicted, until I finally went back when on holiday in South Africa in March, had the same things (chicken McNuggets, Sausage & Egg McMuffin, french fries and ice cream) but it was the wrong franchise at the wrong time of day and killed my addiction instantly. Now I'm over it. I cannot wait to return to the McDs on St Bernard and Broad in New Orleans late at night for the real thing ; )

Quick Fire

Breakfast in bed or Hotel restaurant? 

Bed

English Breakfast Tea or Long Black coffee?

Neither

Martini - Gin or Vodka?

Neither

Ketchup or Mayo?

Mayo 

Stella or Boli?

Boli

London or New York?

Both

City break or Hideaway?

Both